REESE  LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


711,   ,U,-,U,  ,11,  ..Ur.U^U.-Uj   ,U,     U 


AN 


ORATION, 


DELIVERED    AT    RAYNHAM,    (MASSACHUSETTS,) 


MAT  nth,  1804, 


ON    THE    LATE     ACQUISITION    OF 


LOUISIANA, 


AT  THE  UNANIMOUS  REQUEST  OF  T&E  REPUBLICAN  ClTIZEN* 
OF    THE    COUNTT  OF  BRISTOL. 


BY  DAVID  A.  LEONARD. 


NEWPORT,  (R.  I.) 

PRINTED  BY  OLIVER  FARNSWORTH. 

1804. 


: 


In  convention  of  the  numerous  Committee  appointed  for 

the  day, 

RESOLVED,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Committee  be  pfcftnt- 
edto  Mr.  LEONARDjfor  his  Pertinent  Oration,  this  day  deliv 
ered,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  fame  be  requeued  for  the  prefs. 


Reply  of  the  Author, 

GENTLEMEN, 

Could  I  be  perfuaded  that  its  publication  would  be  of  any 

fervice  to   the  public,  yvit   would  have  my  cheerful  cenfent. 

However ,  knowing  that  publication  is  cuflomary  onfuch  occa- 

fiens,  and  expecled  &i  the  prefent,  I  reludantly  render  the 


ORATION,   &c. 


i  <$  ' 
FELLOW-CITIZENS, 


E  have  come  to  felicitate  each  other  on  the  late  ac- 
quifhion  of  Louifiana.  We  have  corns  to  celebrate  «  con- 
q u eft,  not  of  arms  nor  of  artifice,  but  of  principle  and  un- 
/dl  {Tumbling  policy..  For  the  folemnization  of  this  day,  we 
are  indebted  to  the  noblefi  of  gratitude,  the  gratitude  of  pa- 
triotifrn.  Yes,  my  friends,  your  devout  affections  have  de 
creed  to  JEFFERSON  a  fplezjdid  triumph.  While  the  laurels 
of  (he  mod  celebrated  conquerors,  modern  as  well  as  an 
cient,  are  weeping  with  the  blood  of  thoufands,  the  wreaths 
that  entwine  the  temples  of  our  political  chiefs,  who  have 
effected  the  conqued  of  this  valuable  territory,  are  interwo 
ven  with  the  fmiling  olive  of  peace.  The  Roman  conquer- 
ers  who  returned  in  triumph,  from  their  vanquifhed  provin 
ces,  heard  with  horror,  above  the  acclamations  of  joy,  the 
fighs  of  the  widow  and  the  cries  of  the  fatherlefs.  But  we 
celebrate  a  triumph,  where  all  citizens  whofe  fouls  are  fuf- 
ceptibl*  of  tb-mkfulnefs,  cordially  offer  their  tiibute  of 
praife  and  unaiFeQed  benedi&ion.  The  trophies  of  our  be 
neficent  negociators  are  the  inviolate  hearts  of  a  people  who 
rejoice  in  fuch  an  adminiftration  and  the  blefiings  of  fo  free 
a  government.  Their  honorable  fpoils  are  the  gloomy  ab  >r- 
tions  of  an  unprincipled  ambition  and  the  demolifhed  hy- 
pcthefis  of  an  infatuated  policy.  To  grace  their  triumph,  the 
\var-infpiring  principles  of  Rofs  and  Morris  are  led  in  chains 
and  expofed  to  ihe  honed  raillery  of  a  gratulant  people. 
And  this  day  clip  our  national  jubilee  ihall  confecrate  in  the 
temple  of  fame  a  monument  more  lading  than  the  braze.u 
mfcnptipa  or  the  marble  (tatue, 


[     4     ] 

In  contemplating  the  iubjeft  of  Louifiana,  the  mind  is 
alternately  affe&ed  with  a  variety  of  conflifting  emotions. 
—Vary  the  pofitiqn  ofthe  fubje£t,  and.it  (haM  reflect  a  va 
ried  appearance — fometimes  pleafant  and  infpiring  with 
gratitude—and  fometimes  ludicrous,  marvellous  and  ap 
proaching  theridiculous. 

It  mud  be  truly  aftonifhing  to  every  honed  American, 
that  an  attempt  fhould  be  made  by  any  of  our  native  citi 
zens,  to  poffefs  themfelves  of  any  territory  of  other  na 
tions,  whatever  may  be  the  exiding  circumftances  without 
firft  attempting,  either  ior  the  fake  of  equity,  humanity, 
or  politenefs,  to  adjuft  tie  differences  by  fair  negaciatioa. 
But  ftrange  as  it  is,  fuch  an  attempt  was  made,  not  by  a 
downright,  unambitious  yeomanry,  upon  whofe  fhoulders 
the  hardfhips  of  the  conteft  would  fall,  &ut  by  a  clafs  of 
men,  who  would  have  exempted  themfelves  from  military 
duty,  and  whofe  characters,  unconnected  with  politics,  are 
fair  and  reputable,  and  who  view  themfelves  as  file  leaders 
of  a  refpe&able  fedion  of  American  citizens.  This  tnuil 
be  a  ilrange  departure,  not  to  fay  from  Rtfubllcan^  but 
from  American  principles.  When  our  country  firft  began 
to  talk  of  the  oppreffion  of  Great  Britain,  and  to  embrace 
for  herfelf  a  fyftem  of  political  axioms ;  ihe  totally  exclud 
ed  from  her  conftitutions,  every  fen tence  that  remotely 
comprifed  offenfive  operations.  Tne  mod  uadifguifed  ob- 
jedlion  againd  .thefe  was  then  deemed  the  mod  prominent 
feature  of  a  republican  government.  Offenfive  wars  \vere 
then  deemed  a  difcriminating  ehara&eriftic  of  rnortarchical 
cdablifliments, !  where  private  caprice  and  ambition  coald 
flrangely  abforb  the  feelings  of  the  public  and  the  wills  of 
a  few  become  the  refolutions  of  many.  Thefe  were  doc 
trines  unrefervedly  embraced  by  all,  except  the  avowed  ad- 
herents  to  the  interefts  of  the  crown.  A  proportion  of  di- 
vcding  any  people  of  their  rightful  poileffions,  woi^ld  have 
filled  our  .patriots  with  adonifhment,  and  the  fpeeches  ot 
Rofs  and  Morris  would  have  been,  to  the  revolution,  a  pro- 
phanation  equally  ignominious,  abhorrent  and  unpardona 
ble. 

It  was  natural,  at  that  time,  when  every  mouth  was 


[    5    J 

filled  with  execration?  againfl  the  arrogant  meafures  ei 
Britain,  totally  to  abjure  her  vices.  Ambition,  when  enlift- 
ing  volunteers  in  her  cauie,  will  ever  imprefs  to  her  flandard. 
the  auxiliary  of  religion.  Hoiliiius,  when  impelled  by 
neceffity,  could  revive  the  facred  rights  of  Numa,  which 
he  had  long  neglected.  It  would  ieeni  more  natural  then 
for  ambition  to  difcard  thole  vices,  the  adoption  of  which 
would  arraign  her ''conduct  and  fix  upon  her  votaries, 
the  ftigma  of  a  flagrant  difunion  of  principle  and  pradice. 
But  the  peace  of  a  nation  violates  her  repofe.  It  is  the 
troubled  (late  of  fociety  that  tempts  her  operations.  In 
the  defultory  fcenes  of  national  diiliculties,  it  is  plain  to 
the  difcriminating  obferver,  that  ambition,  whatever  may 
be  the  fcope  of  the  Drama,  will  ever  occupy  the  fore 
ground  of  the  peiipediye?  and  infligate  for  htrfelf  thofe 
a£ls  which  become  moft  interdting  to  the  whole  :  War 
therefore  has  ever  been  her  mod  Iticcdfsful  engine. 

i{t.  Becaufe,  in  drafting  her  fubfidies  and  fele&ing 
her  alliances,  fhe  improves  an  opportunity  of  relaxing  or 
invigorating  thole  local  and  national  prejudices,  as  (hail 
beil  fuit  her  policy.  She  courts  the  fmiies  of  foreign 
Courts  whofe  polities  and  interefts  are  in  concert  with 
her  own,  and  avails  herielf  of  the  movements  of  war  to 
direct  to  the  fame  end  the  prepofTeffions  of  the  foldiery 
and  populace.  But  ail,  •  nder  her  influence,  mud  be 
taught  to  execrate  thofe  whofe  governments  are  adtninii- 
tered  upon  republican  principles,  as  enemies  not  only  to 
their  happincis,  but  to  mankind  in  general  and  every  po 
litical  good.  When  the  great  deep  of  national  alliances 
are  broken  up  by  war,  (he  caufes,  by  a  new  adjuftmerit  of 
public  relations,' her  dry  land  to  appear  in  fituations  more 
flattering  to  her  pride  and  more  favorable  to  her  interclh. 

sd.  War  allows  the  people  no  leifure  to  deliberate 
and  enquire  for  thernfeives,  wlrea  the  country's  danger 
is  founded  from  every  quarter  ; — vhen  the  people  are 
habituated  to  diftruft  the  friendfnip  of  ail,  except  thofe 
who  .are  the  frank  allies  of  their  own  nation,  or  thofe 
whofe  policy  is  avowedly  oppofed  to  that  of  their  enemy. 
Thefe  obfervations  are  exemplified  in  the  habits  of  Brit-  • 


;[  6  ] 

ifh  fubje6b.  Thoie  who  afTum&  their  political  tuition, 
have  heretofore  .exerciied  a  more  diligent  attention  to 
their  tyros,  than  the  nurfe  or  the  fchool-mafter.  to  their 
refpedtive  charges.  In  trie  military  academies  they  imbibe 
ihe  rudiments  .of  national  prejudices.  Thefe  are  nur 
tured  by  continual  complaints  .of  wrongs^  impofitions  and 
violations  of  faith  and  treaties.  Finally,  in  the  field  ar*d 
navy  they  are  brought  jo  jpatuiily,  and  become  irradi- 
cable.  As  their  ambitious  nobility,  who  languifh  in  time 
of  peace,  live  like  the  vampyre  QH  the  blood  of  mankind, 
real  or  imaginary  incidents  are  translated  into  iblemii 
pretences,  and  the  people  are  plunged  again  into  4C  una 
voidable"  war. 

3d.  Open  hoftilitics  furnifii  ambition  .with  a  variety  of 
pretexts  of  patrictifm.  She  makes  it  eafy  for  her  vota 
ries  to  believe  that  all  her  projects  are  for  the  country's 
good.  It  is  natural,  fhe  thinks,  for  the  people  to  infer  that 
it  Js  for  their  own  defence  when  an  enemy  is  oppofed,  as  ic 
is  hard  to  'believe  that  the  dangers  and  fatigues  of  war 
ihould  be  productive  of  any  individual  good.  Now  fhe  feels 
a  dictatorial  decifion  attached  to  all  her  projects.  She  ap 
proaches  the  people,  with  a  tender  regard  for  the  public 
welfare,  in  theprefent  emergency  of  affairs  :— That  the  im 
pending  crifis  calls  for  a  new  arrangement  in  all  the  depart 
ments  of  State.  Her  legifl:i;!ve  proceedings  (while  die 
fmiles  to  view  them  as  popular  intrenchments  of  her  own 
wealth  and  grandeur)  are  echoed  as  the  difpenfations  of 
an  aufpicious  providence.  All  her  alliances,  as  well  nup 
tial  as  political,  ihe  would  fain  make  us  believe  are  the  ten 
der  pledges  of  our  national  £lory. 

'in  returning  to  our  own  country,  let  us  bear  with  us 
the  application  of  the  fubjeft.  In  the  old  Canadian  wars 
the  humble  limplicity  of  our  infant  flate  repreft  the  growth 
pf  domedic  ambition.  -As  yet  there  were  found  none  djf- 
pofed  to  Tally  put  in  qnefl  of  adventurers,  of  fame  and  ag- 
grandifement.  Our  regiments  were  officered  by  Britiih 
chevaliers,  and  the  foldiery,  like  loyal  fquires,  were  jt^gfo 
to  fight  ior  the  fceptered  Quixote.  But  in  our  revolu 
tionary  war,  the  ftate  of  fociety  had  fo  far  advanced,  as  to 


.    C     7     ] 

fiave  furni  flied a  fpheie  for  the  intrigues  of  ambition.  In 
the  very  womb  of  the  revolution/,  ambition  and  patriot- 
jfm,  like' the  twins  of  Rebekah,  ftruggled  together.  Tho9 
the  native  voice  of  the  one  was  fcarcely  diftinguifhed  from 
the  crocodile  cry  of  the  other,  flill  the  characters  of  that 
r> fleeting  tragedy  were  actuated  by  two  opponng  interefts, 
/is  glorious  as  that  era  was,  yet  we  fee  in  it,  as  in  the  BE- 
i  ,ov  LD  of  the  faered  paftoral,  a  company  of  two  armies.  No 
(ooner  was  the  fmoke  of  the  revolution  rolled  away  by 
ilie  favonian  breeze  of  peace,' and  the  a"61ors  expofed  to  the 
view  of  the  people,  out  it  was  well  determined  who 
they  were,  that  had  been  prefenting  vain  oblations  upon 
that  altar,  that  was  fliiiwet  with  the  blood  of  Warren  and 
Montgomery  ; — who  had  fung  the  war-fong  of  patriotism 
to  the  harp  of  ambition  ; — who  had  mourned  for  public 
grievances,  to  procure  redrefs  of  perfonal  embarrafTments  ; 
\vhohad  been  bold  to  repel  foreign  invafion,  to  er eel:  a 
tyranny  at  home.  Alas  !  who  would  have  tho't  the  revo 
lutionary  fhock,  which  broke  the  tie  between  us  and  a  cor 
rupted  government,  ferved  alfo  to  breat  the'  egg-fhell  of 
the  cockatrice,  and  give  a  premature  growth  to  the  viper  of 
asnbilionl 

As  political  corruption  is  too  often  the  confequence 
of  war,  fo  it  feems  ever  inclined  to  hoftilities,  as  to  a  part 
ner  of  its  own  fpecies,by  which  libidinous  embrace,it  engen 
ders  and  perpetuates  corruption  in  the  world.  Thus  am 
bition  had  affumed  appropriate  operations  and  became 
diftinguifhed  by  a  (tandard  of  her  own.  It  afforded  her 
no  doubt  a  moment  of  regret  to  reflect,  that  fhe  had  been 
compelled  to  vie  with  a  power,  whofe  policy  was  fo  near 
ly  allied  to  her  own.  They  are  in  tete-a-tete  however  to 
forget  old  prejudices  and  enter  upon  a  new  alliance.  To 
declare  war  therefore  with  Great-Britain  would  be  an  out 
rage  upon  themfelves.  Tho'  the  unwarrantable  infults 
of  that  nation  had  furnifhed  many  of  the  American 
people  with  ample  pretences  for  open  hoftilities,  yet  as  it 
would  debilitate  or  diiTolve  their  young  alliance,  they  be 
came  more  affiduous  than  Britifh  fubjefts  themfelves,  to 
extenuate  thofe  repeated  impoiitions  :  They  evaded  the 


[     3     ] 

force  of  popular  refentment  and  fatiated  the  predatory 
cupidity  of  England  by  ratifying  the  treaty  of  Mr.  fny. 

A  war  then  with  that  nation,  upon  fo  juil  an  occa- 
fion,  would  have  been  too  patriotic  for  that  policy.  But 
no  fooner  had  France,  difaffedted  with  the  ftipulated'  pro- 
v.ifions  of  the  treaty  aforefaid,  begun  to  act  the  Harle 
quinade  of  Britifii  depredation,  but  all- their  Gazettes  vo 
ciferated  for  war,  and  the  fates  embargoed  were  forbid 
den  tointerpofe. 

Now  France  is  menaced  with  all  the  vengeance  of 
patriotifm.  Expectation  is  now  fanguine  that  the  alli 
ance  with  England  will  be  confummated,  and  the  two 
countries  embrace  in  eternal  friendfhip.  Now  is  about 
to  open  a  new  fcene  for  Ariftocratic  fpeculation.  Alrea 
dy  is  prefented  a  happy  opportunity,  not  only  for  war, 
but  war  with  the  enemies  of  Britain.  A  war  of  exter 
mination  is  projected.  Every  man,  .  woman,  and  child  is 
to  be  armed  againft  the  poor  Franks,  who  are  deftined 
for  annihilation.  Our  fentiments  of  honor,  of  courage 
and  national  dignity  were  arraigned  at  the  tribunal  of  a 
prejudicating  policy.  No  effort  was  left  untried  to  forti 
fy  our  coafts  with  ramparts  and  our  minds  with  prejudic 
es.  Thus  ambition  vainly  imagined  that  all  our  revo 
lutionary  prepoffeffions  in  favor  of  that  -nation  would  be 
inftantly  difiblved  ?  that  an  alarm  of  foreign  invasion 
would  unfcrupuloufly  effect  a  unanimity  at  home  ;  that 
our  faces  being  ftedfaftly  fronted  towards  public  calamity, 
our  backs  muft  be  turned  upon  all  dome  (lie  oppreiTion. 

There  is  fomething,  my  friends,  to  be  thrown  up  by 
thefe  troubled  waters.  What  do  we  fee?  The  organiza 
tion  of  a  (landing  army.  Troops  are  Rationed  in  the  inte 
rior  of  a  country  of  patriots,  to  oppofe  the  defcent  of  a 
tranfotlantic  enemy.  A  large  armament  is  formed  to'  ena 
ble  us  to  join  with  honor  the  embattled  line  of  a  favorite 
ally.  Executive  authority  is  extended  ihat  the  prefidential 
power  might  afcend  to  a  dictatorial  fovereignty,  like  that 
of  the  Romans  which  was  abfolute  and  irrefiftible  in  the 
dangerous  extremities  of  war.  Aft  alien-bill  is  paifed  to 
prevent  the  introduction  of  republican  principles^  and  reg- 


L    9    ] 

ulate  the  enliftments  of  political  recruits.  The  revenue  and 
the  monied  interefts  muft  be  arranged  anew,  under  pretext 
of  defraying  expences  of  defeniive  preparations,  to  controul 
the  jealoufies  of  patriotifm  and  facilitate  the  management 
of  an  unpopular  fyftem. 

But  this  project,  however  nicely  calculated  and  affid- 
uouHy  executed,  did  hot  realize  its  ultimate  view.  That 
patriotifni  equally  ready,  to  arm  againft  the  menaces  of  an 
enemy,  and  to  guard  againft  plunging  into  a  precipitate  war, 
could  not  be  perfuaded  to  embrace  the  delulion.  That 
ambition,  which  was  ever  feeking  for  a  war  of  fpeculation, 
foon  found  occafion  to  call  up  her  former  refolutions.  •  A 
right  of  depofit  at  New-Orleans,  to  which  we  had  no  claim 
by  any  decifive  authority,  was,  from  fome  adventitious  cauf- 
es,  withheld  by  the  Spanifh  Intendant.  This  event,  to  thofe 
who  were  acquainted  with  circumftances,  prefented  nothing 
hoftile.  The  whole  affair  refulted  naturally  from  thofe  re 
lations,  which  exifted  between  the  American  and  Spanifti 
governments.  Indeed?  a  catholic  politician  might  admire, 
that  fomething  of  the  kind  had  not  occurred  before.  This 
however  amounted,  by  the  colouring  of  FEDERALISM,  to 
mfult  and  impending  hoflilities.  It  is  eafier^  from  ground- 
lefs  pretences,  to  perfuade  a  people  that  they  are  injured, 
than  that  they  are  benefited.  This  incidental  fufpenfion, 
therefore,  was  reprefented  as  a  barbarous  rape  upon  Amer 
ican  liberties  ;  and  they  endeavored  by  all  the  buffoonery  of 
argument,  to  roule  the  United  States  to  a  declaration  of 
war,  and  inftead  of  recovering  the  right  of  depofit,  to  pof- 
fefs  themfelves  of  the  whole  ifland  of  New-Orleans. 

A  few  hiftorical  obfer rations  are  briefly  thefe.  When 
by  the  treaty  of  Paris,  in  1763,  France  ceded  to  Britain, 
Canada,  Cape  Breton  and  a  part  of  its  pofleffions  on  the 
eaft  of  the  Miilifippi,  fhe  referved  to  herfelf  the  ifland  of 
New-Orleans,  which,  together  with  the  province  of  Louifi- 
ana  on  the  weft  of  the  river,  me  foon  after  ceded  to  the  king 
of  Spain.  By  the  fame  treaty,  Spain  ceded  to  Great-Bri 
tain,  Florida,  St.  Auguftine,  the  bay  of  Penfacola,  with  all 
her  pofleffions  on  the  eaft  of  the  MiiTifippi.  Great-Britain, 
by  the  treaty  of  1783,  conveyed  to  the  United  States,  all 

B 


C    'o    ] 

her  former  pofFeflions  eail  of  a  line  drawn  along  the  mid 
dle  of  the  Miffifippi,  to  the  31  ft  degree  of   north   latitude, 
Thence  on  the  northernmoft  part  of  faid    degree  and  oth 
er  intermediate  lines,  till  it  falls  with  St.  Mary's  river  into 
the  atlantic  ocean.     In  the  treaty  of  Verfailles,  in  the  fame 
year,  between  England   and  Spain,  the  former   ceded  and 
guaranteed  to  his  Catholic  Majefty,  Eaft  jand  Weft  Florida. 
Not  long  after  the  peace  of  '83,  when  the  weftern  wilder- 
nefs  became  fettled  and  population  and  agriculture  advanc 
ed*  difientions' arofe   between    the  United   States  and  the 
Spanifh   Government,  concerning  the  right  of  navigating 
the^waters  of  the  Mifiifippi,  and  the  boundary  line  between 
Weft  Florida  and  our  fouthern  territory.     Thefe  differen 
ces,  which  occafioned  at  that  time  ferious  agitations,  were 
at  length  amicably  adjufted  by  the  treaty  of  San  Lorenzo 
del  Real,  in  1795,  and  the  boundary  between  the  Spanifh 
colonies  and  the  United  States  was  confirmed  agreeably  to 
the  definitive  treaty  of  1783.     At  the  fame  time?  the  free 
navigation  of  the  river  in  its  whole  breadth,  from  its  fource 
to  the  ocean,  was  fecured  to  our  citizens.     Spain  alfo  grant 
ed  us  a  right  to  depofit  and  export   our  produce  and  mer 
chandize,  in  the  port  of  New-Orleans,  for  the  fpace  of  three 
years  from  the  date  of  the  treaty.     She  alfo  engaged  to  con 
tinue  the  grant,  in  cafe  no  injury  accrued  to  her  own  inter- 
efts,  or  afSgn  a  fimilar  eftablifhment  on  fome  other  part  of 
the  Miflifippi*     The  late  Intendant  of  the  Spanifh  colonies, 
obferving  that  the  faid  term  of  three  ySars  had  expired,  and 
of  courfe  no  defined  right  of  depofit  remaining  at  New-Or 
leans,  took  occafion  by  the  authority  of  his  office,  to  fufpend 
that   right,  without   ceremony  or  enquiry  on  the  fubject- 
This  ad,  perhaps,  theJntendant  viewed  no  more  than  fidel 
ity  to  his  fovereign,  being  bound  by  his  allegiance,  to  act  up 
to  the  laws  and  faith  only  of  exifting  treaties.  Fortunately  for 
the  U.  States,he  called  up  the  fubje&,&  reminded  the  parties 
of  a  negligence  not  commonly  indulged  between  two  gov 
ernments.     Affairs  were  immediately  put  in  train  to  fecure 
to  our  nation  a  moil  ample  right  of  navigating  the  Miffifip- 
pi ;  and  the  refult  is,the  ceffionof  theifland  of  New-Orleans* 
together  with  the  almoft  boundlefs  province  ofLouifiana. 
But  previous  to  the  acquifition,  it  was  urged  by  fome 


C  »  3 

co  make  a  ruffian-pu(h  and  acquire  it  by  force.  As  war  is 
the  mod  fuccefsful  game  that  ambition  can  play  at,  a  mo 
tion  was  made  to  raife  50,000  men  and  5  millions  of  mon 
ey  to  defray  expences.  We  would  not  mention  the  names 
of  gentlemen  to  hold  them  up  to  public  contempt,  though 
fuch  propofitions,  made  by  public  agents,  will  appear  un- 
pleafant  to  a  virtuous  people.  But  we  mention  them  for 
the  fame  purpofe  they  did  themfelves,  in  order  that  they 
might  be  heard  and  examined  by  an  enlightened  public. 
While  founding  the  war-hoop,  they  could  ken  with  the  eye 
of  a  prophet,  what  great  advantages  would  refult  to  the  na 
tion  by  poffeiling  New-Orleans  and  the  right  of  neighboring 
territory  :  And  as  they  fortunately  had  truth  on  their  fide, 
we  are  bound  to  believe  them  fmcere.  It  is  requifite  on 
this  occafion,  my  friends,  to  mention  and  record  fome  ex 
tracts  from  thofe  encomiums  to  which  we  alhide. 

Mr.  Rofs  declared  that  the  mere  right  of  depofit  involv 
ed  "  the  bed  intereds  of  the  country."  "As  the  right  of  the 
river,  the  trade,  &c.  was  not  at  all  fecured  by  the  treaty,  of 
eourfe  a  new  one  or  war  mud  be  reforted  to."  He  declared 
that  "  the  country  on  the  eaft  bank  of  the  MifTifippi  would 
give  compa&nefs  and  irrefiftible  flrength  to  the  United 
States,  for  which  we  mould  be  courted  and  reflected  in  future 
European  wars  j  that  if  France  got  it,  me  would  either  anni 
hilate  our  trade  with  her  Ifles,  or  impofe  duties  of  15  or  20 
per  cent."  The  commercial  intereds,  then,  of  the  north 
ern  States  mull  be  favored  with  incalculable  advantages 
from  the  ceilioti  of  Louifiana. 

Mr.White,of  Delaware,franklyexprefTedhisconvidions, 
that  we  could  "  never  have  permanent  peace  on  our  weflern 
waters,  till  we  poffefs  ourfelves  of  ^New-Orleans,  and  fuch 
other  territory  as  may  be  neceflary  to  give  us  the  complete 
and  abfolute  command  of  the  'Miflifippi.'1  All  thefe  and  far 
more  we  have  honorably  acquired.  Thefe  objects  appeared 
to  him  fo  inedimable  that  he  dared  not  to  hope  for  mem 
but  by  a  war.  Though  he  deprecated  fuch  a  meafure,  yet 
he  viewed  it  as  an  unavoidable  alternative.  He  con  fidered 
it  as  the  "  duty  and  intered  of  the  nation,  to  make  the  fa- 
crifice  for  the  object,  becaufe  he  deemed  the  country  around 
New-Orleans,  to  be  the  only  key  to  immenfe  regions  wa- 


c 


tcred  by  the  Mrffifippi,  which  he  ftated  to  be  larger 

all  Europe,  furpafled  by  no  country  in  fertility  and  climates 

and  mod  of  it  a  paradife." 

Mr.  Morris.—"  With  the  Mifiifippi  country  in  our 
pofifeflion,  we  have  means  ot  defence,  more  ample,  more 
important,  more  eafy,  than  any  nation  on  earth.  In  a  fhort 
time,  all  the  Weft-India  iflands,  fed  from  our  granaries,  mud 
depend  upon  our  will,  and  in  confequence  all  the  powers  of 
Europe,  who  have  colonies  there*,  muft  court  our  friendfhip, 
Thofe  rich  fources  of  commercial  importance  (the  foreign 
colonies  in  the  Weft-Indies)  will  be,  as  it  were,  in  our 
hands.  They  will  be  pledges  for  the  ^mity  of  others,  in 
feas  and  dominions  far  remote.  It  is  a  defence,  which, 
though  it  cofts  us  nothing,  is  fuperior  to  fleets  and  armies. 
But  let  the  refources  of  America  be  divided  (which  mult 
happen  when  the  French  are  mafters  of  New-Orleans)  and 
a|l  this  power  and  influence  are  gone."  This,  my  friends, 
is  the  Senatorial  affidavit  of  Mr.  Morris  :  And  can  we  fup- 
pofe  that  were  he  now  in  the  fenate,  he  could  fo  perjure 
himfelf  as  to  unite  with  his  party  in  their  afperfions  againft 
this  glorious  event. 

I  (hould  too  far  tranfcend  the  limits  which  I  have  pre- 
fcribed  for  myfelf  on  this  occafion,  to  recite  the  many  enco 
miums  made,  not  only  with  apparent  candor,  but  with  faith 
and  enthufiafm  by  th*2-  chieftains  of  federalism  on  the  fub- 
je&  before  us.  They  appear  tranfportcd  beyond  them* 
felves,  and  the  powers  of  rhetoric  are  too  feeble  to  defcribe 
the  felicities  of  that  enviable  country  ;  to  obtain  which,  the 
expences,  the  time,  the  effufion  of  blood,  fo  unavoidable 
in  war,  would  have  been  but  an  inferior  facriflce.  But  a 
war  with  Prance  and  Spain,  in  co-operation  with  England, 
•was  their  ultimate  view.tFor  the  moft  prominent  feature 
of  their  oppolition  to  the  pacific  policy  of  the  Prefident,  was 
an  alliance  with  Britain,  in  preference  to  negociation.  If 
was  not  a  forlorn  hope,  that  hoftilities,  with  the  dreaded  and 
inveterr^te  enemy  of  that  nation,  would  naturally  increafe  a 
reciprocal  attachment. 

Thus  I  have  attempted  a  fair  reprefentation  of  that 
importance  and  utility  which  gentlemen  of  the  oppofi- 
tion  attached  to  the  poflcffion  of  New-Orleans  and  the 


C  13] 

navigation  of  the  Miffifippi,  which  could  not  fail  to  in^ 
fpire  a  zeal  like  theirs  for  precipitate  war.  But  opinion^ 
uttered  with  fuch  apparent  deliberation  and  candor,  ferve 
only  as  a  foil,  to  fet  the  inconfiflency  of  their  fubfequent 
conduct  in  more  expreflive  point  of  view.  Though  the  ac- 
quifition  realized,  exceeds  the  utrqoft  extent  of  their  pre 
dicted  importance,  yet  the  malignancy  of  their  oppqfuion  tq 
the  policy  of  Mr.  Jeflferfon,  is  not  afTuaged.  The  moment 
In  which  was  felt  the  impoffibility  of  inducing  a  war,  the 
acquifition  of  that  country  was  treated  as  a  vifionary  proj 
ect.  No  fooner  was  the  fuccefs  of  Mr.  Monroe's  million 
confirmed,  from  a  paradife,  Louifiana  degenerated  into  a 
defert.  The  fame  territory,  which  it  was  declared  unwor 
thy  America  to  fpare  any  pains  in  obtaining,  has  firangely 
become  a  nuifance  and  an  evil.  As  the  glory  departed  from 
antient  Eden,  when  warring  lufts  were  introduced,  fo  when 
war  was  banifhed  from  the  mind  of  Federalifm,  the  value, 
the  beauty,  the  luxuriance,  the  glory  of  that  "  garden  of  the 
world"  fled  like  a  vifion.  Thofe  beautiful  "  prairies,"  thofc 
fertile  vales,  in  which  the  annual  fun  beholds  a  "  double 
harveft,"  have  fuddenly  put  on  the  dejected  appearance  of 
the  "  wilds  of  Lybia."  Alas !  thofe  delightful  regions,  un- 
flamed  with  human  blood,  had  no  charms  for  ambition. 
Such  diftrafted  inconfiftencies,  muit  arreft  the  admiration 
of  every  candid  mind,  and  fully  demonftrate  the  defperation 
of  that  policy,  while  faft  retreating  from  the  advances  of 
truth.  Thefe  difconcerted  manoeuvres  are  but  the  length 
ened  and  diftorted  fhadows,  thrown  upon  our  profperous 
country,  by  the  fetting  fun  of  federalifm. 

When  intelligence  of  this  aufpicious  event  was  firft  re 
ceived,  it  was  hard  for  a  difpaflionate  mind  to  difcover  at 
xyhat  point  of  attack,  this  important  rneafure  could  be  af- 
fail«d.  It  was  to  be  expected  that  it  would  meet  with  the 
cordial  approbation  of  every  party.  It  required  more  than 
ordinary  ingenuity  to  "  conjure  up  an  hypothecs"  againft 
the  negociation.  It  was  hoped  that  it  was  poffible  from  this 
unexpected  "  coincidence  of  fortunate  circumftances"  to 
reconcile  the  jarring  fpirit  of  oppofition.  "But  all  calcu 
lations  are  fallacious3  when  combatting  the  perverfe  paffion$ 
qf  the  heart.'* 


t    «4  ] 

Myfterious  it  is,  that  the  fubjed  of  war,  in  this  country, 
fhoul  J  be  treated  with  fuch  deliberate  indifference — war  ! 
that  has  ever  been  deemed  a  curfe  upon  the  people,  in  the 
moit  unenlightened  ages  of  antiquity.  The  antient  He 
brews,  with  the  denunciations  of  famine  and  peftilence,  were 
threatened  with  wars  and  captivities.  cc  Wars  and  fight 
ings'*  are  exprefsly  declared  to  be  the  refult  of  that  crimi 
nal  cupidity  which  operates  againft  the  felicity  of  man. 
The  blinded  ages  of  barbarifm  prefented  nothing  to  dimia- 
ifh  its  honors,  but  the  boafl  of  valour,  the  renown  of  pat- 
riotifm,  and  the  promife  of  glory  in  a  world  to  come.  But 
In  this  illumined  century  and  literary  nation,  it  is  to  be  con 
templated  with  thofe  awful  reflections,  which  the  fubjecl  fo 
naturally  infpires. 

Befides  the  lofs  of  our  citizens  which  no  confideration 
could  expiate  or  repay,  the  expences,  with  the  ftndeft  econ 
omy,  would  exceed  the  refuit  of  the  mod  accurate  calcula 
tions.  To  obtain  a  view  of  the  direct  effeds  of  war  in  im- 
poverifhing  a  people,  let  us  turn  our  attention  to  the  prefent 
unhappy  ftate  of  Old  England.*  In  a  debate  in  the  Houfe 

*  The  late  war  between  Great  Britain  and  France  i«  (aid  to  have  ad 
ded,  by  the  general  reduction  of  national  refourcea  And  ilrength,  to  the  pub- 
Jic  debt  of  the  former  1 1  thoufaod  461  millions  987  thoufend  daliara.  To 
their  annual  taxes  then  it  added  666  millions  390  thoufand  dcllari.  The 
population  nf  Great  Britain  is  eftimated  at  1 1  millions.  Thus  by  the  late 
war,  fuppofeeach  perfon  to  pay  equally,  every  man,  woman  and  child,  hys 
contracted  a  debt  of  io$2  dollar*  ;  for  which  in  taxes  alone  each  has  to  pay 
an  annual  intereil  of  63  dollars  and  iz  cents. 

Let  this  fchedule  furnifli  us  with  a  fcale  by  which  we  may  calculate  the 
great  amount  which  probably  rauft  have  been  expended,  in  the  projfcled 
pcnqueft  of  Louifiana.  We  will  now  caft  a  figure  upon  the  refult  of  that 
pacific  negociation  which  we  have  fo  gladly  celebrated.  The  population. 
ci  the  United  State*,  by  the  late  cenfus,  is  upwards  of  5  millions.  The 
price  of  the  purchafe  of  Louisiana,  of  New- Orleans,  and  confequently  of 
the  great  river  Miffifippi,  is  15  |  millions  of  dollars.  Let  the  furplus  of  £ 
millions  of  population  pay  the  furplus  quarter  of  a  million  in  the  purchafe 
phoney,  and  we  find,  that  for  3  dollars  each,  we  have  acquired  a  right  to  a 
^erhtory  of  prodigious  extent,  and  have  added  to  our  population  half  a 
million  of  people.  It  will  not,  I  hope,  be  deemed  an  illiberal  refleclton,  if 
\  ftate  it  as  my  deliberate  belief,  that  the  aggregate  of  the  expences  incur* 
red  under  the  laft  adminiftration,  are  more  than  fuflicient  to  pay  the  con- 
traft  for  that  exrenfive  country.  It  cannot  then,  amount  to  invecYwe  to 
fuggeft,  that  the  frnitlefs  attempt  to  enflave  5  millions  of  people,  exceeded, 
in  the  expences,  the  fum  that  is  to  be  paid  to  make  half  a  million  of  fla?cs 
free  and  accepted  citizens* 


of  Commons,  Mr.  Nichols,  fpeakingon  the  conduct  of  Mr, 
Pitt,  in  his  late  admininration,  declared  that  "  by  the  inju 
ry  of  paper  money,  by  the  rife  of  provifions,  by  reducing  the 
ttadefmen  to  poverty,  and  by  filling  the  poor  heufes  With  the 
•wretched,  the  inhabitants  were  doomed  to  periih,  he  would 
not  fay  by  hundreds,  but  by  rhoufands."  u  To  any  gentle 
man,"  fays  he,  "  who  doubts  my  accuracy,  I  pledge  myfelf 
to  prcduce  fitch  damning  proofs  as  jhall  make  his  hair  ft  and  on 
end"  The  melancholy  perfpective  of  enibarraffment,  pov 
erty  and  wretchedaefs,  which  the  (late  of  that  nation  this 
moment  prefents,  is  diftreffmg  to  the  feelings  of  humanity, 
I  need  not  invite  your  attention  to  our  own  coutitry,  to  be 
hold  your  happier  enjoyments,  for  ere  I  exprefs  myfeii,  your 
glowing  fenfations  would  anticipate  the  affecting  contraft. 

But  notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  ambition  to  involve 
us  in  this  exterminating  evil,  we  have  not  only  been  faved 
from  a  war,  but  we  have  greatly  extended  our  empire  U 
is  true  15  millions  muft  be  paid  for  it.  But  the  additional 
revenue  itfelf  will  a  faired  ly  accomplim  it.  For  that,  reve 
nue,  by  the  rapid  increafe  of  population  and  fetdemcnt,  will 
be  aftonifhingty  enlarged  by  the  time  payment  is  to  be  made, 
You,  good  people,  will  find  the  remittances  made  and 
bonds  difcharged,  without  any  burthen  or  caufe  of  conu 
plaint.  But  mould  an  extended  expence  be  brought  to 
public  view,  by  unfriendly  calculators,  it  would  exceed  the 
powers  of  arithmetic,  to  prove  it  a  poor  bargain.  Federal- 
ifm  itfelf  had  predicted  that  Bonaparte  would  not  part  with 
it  but  for  an  exorbitant  confideration.  It  has  alfo  fines 
been  fuggefted,  that  it  was  by  fome  over-reaching  policy, 
that  our  negociators  obtained  it  :  And  yet  abrupt  at 
tempts  are  made  to  prove  that  the  reful.ting  inconveniences 
will  tranfcend  the  amount  of  profit.  But,  my  friends,  I  will 
unrefervedly  pledge  myfelf,  my  honor  and  poffeitions  (what 
ever  they  may  be,)  as  did  Mr.  Livingflon,  when  he  firft 
contracted  with  France,  that  a  company  mail  be  produced, 
of  the  fame  defcription  of  politics  with  our  miftaken  friends, 
who  mail  bind  themfelves,  their  heirs  and  affigns  forever, 
to  make  good  the  payment  of  thirty  millions,  for  what  we 
have  purchafed. 

The  affectation  of  fome  has  lightly  efteemed  the  pur- 


chafe,  oh  account  of  vifionary  difficulties*  and  tne  time  that 
hiay  elapfe,  before  any  confiderable  fettlement  fhall  be  effec 
ted.  But  a  mere  ftoic  might  afk,  is  this  hard  to  be  acconv 
plifhed  by  the  fame  or  fimilar  caufes  which  have  raifed  A- 
inerica  to  her  prefent  flate  of  improvement !  Survey  the 
regions  of  North  and  South  America,  contemplate  the  mil- 
lions  that  inhabit  her  champaigns,  and  reflect  that  three 
centuries  only  have  pafled,  fmce  the  firft  difcovery  of  this 
hew  world.  The  period  is  much  fhorter,  fmce  thefe  Unit 
ed  States,  whofe  harvefts  are  fufficient  to  fupply  the  grana- 
nes  of  the  world,  thefe  flouriihing  plantations,  around  you, 
were  but  uncultivated  wilds.  We  will  therefore  hazard 
the  aflertion,  that,  had  it  not  been  for  this  recent  acquifition^ 
our  agricultural  and  enterprifmg  citizens  would  fhonly  have 
found  themfelves  limited  in  their  fpeculative  intereds.  But 
how  they  are  prefented  with"  bound lefs  refources  of  fpecula- 
don,  wealth  and  profperiiy. 

What  are  the  difadvantsiges  of  the  acquifition  ?  To 
this  queftion,  whatever  may  have  been  the  envious  and 
f  buftling  objections  made  by  aa  abortive  policy,  the  anfwers, 
Vou  obferve,  have  ever  been  vague,  problematical  and  eva- 
iive.  Thofe  who  attempt  a  Replication^  always  fumble  over 
the  fubject,  aad  meeting  with  their  own  antecedent  encomi 
ums,  which  recriminate  and  confound  them,  they  feramble 
for  objections,  and  fighting,  with  a  retreating  fire3  abandon 
the  ground  under  the  feint  of  fubterfuge. 

What  are  the  advantages  of  the  acquifition  ?  Much  in 
every  point  of  view.  It  gives  us  the  enjoyment  of  that  varie- 
ty  of  climate  fo  propitious  to  our  national  commerce.  It 
throws  into  our  poffeflion  a  country,  not  only  within  the 
tropical  latitudes,  but  adjoining  our  former  jurifdictions. 
From  this  country  then,  we  may  bring,  free -of  duty  and 
war-iniurance,  all  thefe  articles,  which  we  are  taught  to  de 
nominate,  neceffaries  of  life.  Of  this  priviledge  we  have 
hitherto  been  deflitute.  But  where  we  view  other  nations 
of  like  habits  and  luxuries  of  living,  we  find  but  few,  who 
cannot  boaft  of  their  factories,  colonies  and  pofleflions,  either 
in  the  Indies  of  the  eaft  or  of  the  weft.  Thofe  infular  gar 
dens  of  the  Weft-Indies  are  diftributed,as  it  were  by  the  lot  of 
fate,  between  the  Engliih,  French,  Spanifh,  Dutch,  Swedifh 


r  >7  ] 

and  Fortuguefe.  And  who  among  the  citizens  of  America, 
will  impiouily  deny,  that  it  is  the  hand  that  rules  the  def- 
jJnies  of  the  univerfe,  which  has  allotted  to  us  the  fertile 
province  of  Louifiana.  For  fo  hath  the  great  event  been 
greeted  by  feveral  eulogifls  of  Europe. 

This  extenfive  country  exceeds  in  quantity,  the  whole 
of  the  Weft-India  I  Hands,  and  is  ftated  to  produce  fugar, 
coffee,  cocoa,  ginger,  pimento,  cotton,  gums,  turmeric, 
rhubarb,  and  probably  teas.  Thefe  no  doubt  will  be  foon 
Clipped  in  abundance,  free  of  duty,  &c.  to  the  eaftern, 
northern  and  dther  Atlantic  States.  From  this  circutn- 
ftance,  therefore,  no  fmall  advantage  will  arife  to  our  coaft- 
ing  bufmefs,  which  being  fecured  from  foreign  reftriftions, 
is  deemed  the  moil  valuable  branch  of  our  carrying  trade. 
For  thefe  articles,  our  produce,  but  principally  our  manufac 
tures,  mud  be  returned  ; — and  chiefly  in  our  own  v^ilels. 
Thofe  rich  planters,  poffeffed  of  fuch  eafy  means  of  affluence, 
will  never  leave  their  plantations,  to  be  concerned  in  the 
fifheries,  (hip-building  and  manufactures,  which  are  profe- 
cuted  with  fuch  induftry  in  the  northern  States. 

The  acquifition  affords  us  another  advantage.  It  re 
moves  every  apprehenfion  of  danger 'from  a  foreign  colony 
in  that  country.  This  was  a  favorite  argument  to  effect  by 
force  the  feizure  of  New-Orleans.  This  confideration,  tho* 
nothing  to  the  purpofe  for  which  it  was  adduced,  is  greatly 
flattering  tp  the  peace  and  fecurity  of  the  United  States. 
For  had  any  preponderating  power  of  Europe  have  gotten 
poffeffion  in  that  quarter,  they  would  have  held  a  command 
ing  authority  over  all  the  bufmefs,  that  was  connected  with 
the  navigation  of  the  MilTifippi,  and,  if  difpofed,  would  have 
injured  the  trade,  in  all  our  v^eftern  waters. 

H~ad  Great  Britain  fuccee^ed  in  that  notorious  con- 
fpiracy  of  the  governor  of  Canada",  the  Britlfh  minilter  and 
Mr.  Blount,  to  fccure  to  herfelf  the  Floridas,  our  public 
affnirs  would  have  ever  been  contaminated  and  harraifed 
with  Bi  him  intrigue.  Had  me  alfo  fucceeded  iu  a  purchafe 
of  Louifiana,  or  acquired  it  by  the  fuccefs  of  that  expedition, 
which  (he  mediated  lad  year,  when  fhe  renewed  her  hof- 
tilities  srgainil  France,  would  me  not  have  challenged  the 
exclufive  right  of  that  important  river^  as  fhe  now  does  that 

C 


t  '83 

©fSt.  Lawrence?  Would  (he not  as  infolently  retain  the 
right  of  depoiit  at  New-Orleans,  as  fhe  once  withheld  the 
pofts  at  Detroit  and  Niagara  ?  Would  it  afford  a  pleafaM 
refle&ion  to  any  one,  to  have  the  French  or  any  other  na 
tion  to  obtain  a  (hong  foot-hold  there,  and  carry  on  a  vigo 
rous  ftate  of  colonization  ?  The  recognizance  of  our  own 
•wifhes,  and  the  recollection  of  the  anti-pacific  argument  s5 
banHh  at  once  the  idea. 

It  has  been  obferved  by  fome,  whofe  candour  we  re 
gard,  that  the  expences  and  impediments  in  maintaining 
a  government  in  that  extenfive  country,  will  rife  to  the 
amount  of  all  the  benefits  received.  But  I  recoiled  no 
flatement  or  analyfis  of  the  fubjeft,  which  authorifes  me  to 
pay  any  refpe£t  to  the  hypothefis.  There  is  no  fhadow  of 
reafon,  why  a  government,  completely  refpondent  to  all  its 
purpofes,  may  not  be  maintained,  with  equal  facility,  as  in 
any  State  of  the  Union.  But  the  impracticability  of  fup- 
porting  a  temperate  and  effective  jurifdi&ion  there,  as  ad 
vanced  to  the  public,  by  the  anonymous  ftriclures  of  Fabri- 
cius,  is  to  be  reje&ed  as  barely  plauiible  in  theory,  and  di 
ametrically  anti-federaL 

This  votary  of  Ariftocracy  bat  open  hoftilities  with  the 
very  exiftenc^  of  a  confederacy  of  the  States.  We  are  not 
to  revert  to  the  Hanfeatic  league,  to  the  Grecian  and  Swifs 
republics,and  then  exult  in  inferences  as  feeble  as  our  prem- 
ifes  are  abfurd.  Difdaining  the  hypocrify  of  fu<:h  anti-re 
publican  theories,  our  recourfes  fhould  ever  be  to  fads 
which  are  inflexible — to-  experience  which  is  orthodox. 
That  fyftem  of  government  now  in  **  fuccefsful  operation" 
may  be  fafely  extended  to  embrace  the  wide  province  of 
Louifiana,  with  ail  the  population  which  it  may  hereafter 
fupport.  The  ceiTion  has  furnifhed  the  enemies  of  the  con- 
ftitution,  with  a  preamble  to  their  declaration,  that  the  en 
largement  of  our  empire  mud  neceffarily  affett  the  genius  as 
well  as  forms  of  our  federal  government.  "  To  impel  the 
current  of  power  (fay  they)  from  the  centre  to  the  circum 
ference  of  fo  wide  a  circle,  it  is  manifeft  that  the  momen 
tum  or  moving  force  of  the  power  mull  be  proportionably 
augmented/'  This  language  clearly  miilakes  the  unnat- 
pral  mechanifin  of  a  delpotic  government,  lor  the  phyfical 


C  '9  3 

w/ 

principles  of  a  federal  republic.  The  fortunate  operation 
of  a  good  government  depends  not  upon  the  geographical 
extent  of  dominion,  but  upon  its  own  technical  conftitution. 
I  am  fond  of  comparing  fuch  an  one  to  a  moral  being,  hav 
ing  a  fymparhy  in  all  its  parts,  and  difcharging  its  fuadious 
by  its  own  vital  and  inherent  energies.  The  blood  is  pro 
pelled  from  the  fountain,  by  the  elaftic  motion  of  the  lungs., 
through  all  the  arteries  to  its  afligned  limits,  and  returps  by 
its  own  cohefive  attraction  to  render  a  fupply  for  its  own 
difcharge.  So,  by  the  combined  and  reciprocal  energies  of 
Jaw  and  patriotifm,  our  federal  republic  will  ever  preierve  a 
natural  motion,  harmony  and  equipoife,  in  all  its  phyfical 
and  geographical  departments.  But  where  the  love  of 
country  exifts  not,  this  political  equilibrium  is  deftroyed,  and 
muft  be  reftored  by  revolutionary  percuilions,  as  n-^ceffary, 
though  as  dreadful,  as  the  difcharges  of  the  elecirie  fluid, 
and  the  explofions  of  a  volcano. 

Defpotic  inftitutions  have  but  the  exiftence  of  a  fum- 
rner's  day,  becauie  they  never  poffefs  the  quickening  forces 
of  patriotifm.  A  fyftem  of  mechanifm,  however  ingeniouf- 
ly  contrived  and  fmimed,  hath  nothing  of  the  lively  opera 
tions  of  a  vital  organization.  The  primary  movements  of 
fuch  a  government  are  folely  the  effect  of  fome  dead  weight 
• — fome  inert  and  arbitrary  power,  which  being  counteract 
ed  by  the  very  laws  of  nature,  muft  foon  be  exhaufted,  and 
?  ^jfiblution  enfues.  It  is  as  vain,  therefore,  to  look  for  a 
permanent  ariflocracy,  as  to  attempt  to  develope  the  prin 
ciple  of  perpetual  motion.  What  though  thefe  eftablifh- 
ments  may,  for  a  length  of  time,  put  on  the  appearance  of 
Eden,  and  feem  to  flourifh  from  their  own  intrinfic  virtue— 
rifing,  like  the  rocket,  to  great  afcent  and  fplendor,  yet 
their  artificial  powers  are  foon  exhaufted,  the  final  explo 
fions  are  produced,  and  they  defcend  like  the  ftick.  Ambi 
tion,  therefore,  in  order  to  create  thefe  unnatural  fyftems  of 
policy,;  will  feek  firft  to  marfhal  the  interefts  of  fociety 
againft  each  other,  and  the  moral  elements  are  thereby  put 
into  fuch  commotion,  that  here  a  vortex  may  abforb  the 
floating  liberties  of  the  people,  and  there  a  water  fpout  of 
defpotifm  be  forced  up  from  the  powers,  that  may  be  ab- 
ftra&ed  from  the  rights  of  mankind.  But,  the  more  politi- 


E  ao  ] 

cal  eftabliiliments  are  indebted  to  violence  for  their  prop 
erties,  the  more  temporary  they  are. 

Political  bodies,  therefore,  whether  hale  or  fickly,  owe 
nothing  of  thefe  circumflances  to  their  bulk  of  population 
or  magnitude  of  territory,  but  to  their  original  conftitutioa. 
and  general  management.  It  is  farcical  to  pretend  that  the 
Government  of  Louifiana  cannot  be  creeled  in  feparate 
eftaBlifhments5  and  ail  with  the  reft  be  affociated  under  one 
federal  compact,  whofe  leading  features  mail  be  purely  re 
publican.  This  confederation  may  as  well  be  maintained 
between  twenty  zsf event  een  independent  States.  But  there 
are  confiderations  which  induce  a  belief  that  the  annexing 
of  Louifiana  to  our  empire,  will  beget  a  more  natural,  more 
intimate  and  more  permanent  Union.  The  interchange  of 
commercial  contributions  will  not  fail  to  convince  both  the 
North  and  the  South  of  the  fpeeial  advantages  of  each,  ari4 
endear  and  bind  them  to  each  other  in  a  conjugal  tie. 

If  this  relation  has  heretofore  been  fenfibly  felt  be 
tween  the  northern  and  fouthern  States,  much  more  will  it 
*  e  acknowledged,  fince  we  can  receive  all  our  tropical  necef- 
fro .11  a  fifter  State.  To  talk  then  of  a  partition  of 
i  :l  %  is  to  urge  an  unnatural  and  ruin  HIS  divorce, 
jriuc  why  mould  politicians  of  New  England,  except  it  be 
from  a  niggardly  and  ambiti&us  'policy,  commence  the  du 
ty  of  feparation  ?  In  a  houfe  of  merchandize,  it  is  common 
for  the  partner,  who  is  confcious  or  laboring  under  a  difuJ- 
vantage  from  the  firm,  to  propofe  a  diffolution  of  partner- 
fhip.  Pofitive  I  am,  that  were  a  divifion  to  be  executed5 
the  Southern  States,  holding  a  greater  variety  of  commer 
cial  materials,  would  dill  exift  a  far  more  integral  and  in 
dependent  government :  While  the  Northern  States,  re- 
greting  too  late  the  wantonnefs  of  their  policy,  would  be 
hold  themfelves  exifting  a  fractional  and  feeble  jurifdi&ioiu 
J  hade  to  an  end,  by  a  more  appropriate  addrefs. 
Citizens  of  the  County  of  Brtftol^ 

Once  more  I  have  accepted  the  invitation  of  your  com- 
mittee,  to  addrefs  you  upon  fubje&s  afligned  me  of  a  po 
litical  nature,  and  intimately  connected  with  the  current 
times.  Though  grateful  for  the  honors  and  refped  you 
have  -  mown  rne,  yet  I  accepted  indeed  this  lad  affign- 

with  backward  deference.    Reluctant,  from  a  view  of 


its  aovelty  and  relation  to  the  politics  of  the  day,  I  felt  afc 
iirft  refolved  not'to  expofe  myfelf  before  the  camp  of  thofe 
who  were  decidedly  oppofed  to  me  in  political  opinion.  I 
had  truly  tho?t  that  a  private  enjoyment  of  public  fentiments 
would  be  far  more  felicitating,  than  a  feeble  attempt  to 
difcufs  a  fubjeft  that  might  irritate  the  feelings,  though  of 
a  retreating,  yet  of  a  refpeclabl-c  oppofition.  A  fenfe  of  du 
ty  however  prevailing,  I  embrace  it  perhaps  for  the  lad 

time. —I  was  determined  at  firft  to  purfue  the  fubjecl 

upon  my  own  ground,  without  employing  thofe  allu- 
lions,  which  however  ferious,  might  occafion  a  blufh  upon 
any,  who  had  configned  thofe  unpopular  tranfa&ions  to  the 
general  oblivion  of  paft  events.  But  foon  I  difcovered  that 
the  way  I  mud  purfue,  led  through  the  difputed  ground  of 
party  politics,  which  fupports  my  claim  to  the  moft  liberal 
candour.  The  fubjecl:,  in  my  leifure,  I  have  attempted  to  elu 
cidate,  and  now  freely  refign  it  to  your  cenfure  or  your  ap- 
plaufe. 

The  time,  in  which  I  have  lived  in  this  county,  embrac 
es  the  two  diftinguifhing  seras  of  our  federal  adminiftration. 
But  a  few  years  years  ago  the  times  were  perilous  indeed. 
The  very  heavens  were  hung  with  omens  of  mifchievous 
deflinies.  The  aged  patriot,  who  looked  back  upon  the 
caufe  of  America,  law  the  young  empire,  tho*  a  flill  fplen- 
dent  luminary,  yet  retrograde  in  her  orbit.  Awed  into 
filence  from  the  painful  retrofpec~t,  he  could  only  heave  the 
folitary  figh,  while  the  youthful  politicians  around  him,  will 
fully  enquired  the  occafion  of  his  grief.  Thofe  were  days 
of  triumph  to  delufion — of  glory  to  ambition.  While  re- 
pofmg  in  our  lethargic  loyalty,  me  entwined  us  with  her 
webs  of  oppreffion,  till  in  the  joy  of  her  heart  ihe  viewed 
her  conqueft  complete,  and  the  fliout  of  her  vi&ory  awaked 
us  from  our  flumber.  As  Sampfon  in  his  withs  from  the 
lap  of  Deliah,  fo  rofe  the  people  at  that  time  from  their 
political  repofe.  With  facred  refentment  they  demanded 
redrefs,  and  the  omnipotent  voice  of  their  fuffrages  intro 
duced  a  new  world  of  profperity— pardon  the  metaphor,  a 
new  heajift  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  we  hope  dwells  politi 
cal  righteoufnefs.  The  happy  event,  which  has  dedicated  in 
America  an  eternal  monument  of  experimental  republican* 
ifm,  we  have  this  day,  my  friends,  convened  to  celebrate. 


C  «  ] 

Notwithstanding  exertions  to  traduce  the  characters 
/>f  our  rulers  and  hurry  our  government  into  contempt,  it 
xs  an  incontestable  fact,  that  the  United  States  have  never 
been  more  refpeded  by  the  powers  of  Europe,  than  at  the 
prefent  moment.  Our  nation  appears  great  in  the  view  of 
old  eftablifhments,  which  ought  to  bepoffefTed  of  all  that  im 
provement  that  experience  can  beftow.  At  foreign  courts 
our  minifters  are  received  with  the  mod  cordial  attention. 
By  their  political  observations,  they  announce  their  convic 
tion  to  the  world,  that  the  resources  of  our  national  wealth, 
honor  and  greatnefs-are  daily  increafmg.  They  behold  our 
revenues  unembarrafled  and  copious  ;  our  public  faith  dig 
nified  and  fupported  ;  our  militia  difciplined  and  formida 
ble,  and  our  adminiftration  element  and  energetic.  Thg 
alacrity  of  the  Britlfh  cabinet  in  fettling  our  claims  on  that 
country ;  the  eagernefs  of  the  Spanifh  government  in  remov 
ing  every  caufe  of  complaint  anting  from  the  affair  at  New- 
Orleans  ;  but  above  all,  the  ceffiori  of  Louifiana  and  the  con 
vention  for  the  payment  of  the  claims  of  our  citizens  by  the 
government  of  France,  are  circutnflances  of  honorable  and 
convincing  proof,  that  our  alliance  is  refpec]ted  and  our 
friendftip  efteeined. 

Let  the  candid,  of  every  defcription  of  party,  recipnv 
cate  the  queflion,  To  whom  do  we  owe  this  national  digni 
ty  and  happinefs  ?  Is  it  to  the  wifdom  and  patriotifm  of  that 
fet  of  men,  who  have  been  proclaiming  to  the  world  that 
our  adminiftration  has  been  committed  to    an  election  of 
men,  without  principle  or  policy,  and  to  whom  they  have 
attempted  to  impute  the  mo(l  indecent  and  fcandalous  vices  ? 
What  would  have  been  the  (late  of  our  nation,  had  the  ef 
forts  of  that  mjftaken.  policy  prevailed  ?  Inflead  of  a  reftora^ 
ition  of  the  right  of  depofit  at  New-Orleans,  with  tendered 
^flurances  of  Continued  friendfhip,  we  mould  have  feen  our 
country,  before  this  time,  embroiled  in  a  war  with  Spain—* 
*'  bleeding  at  every  pore,"  to  recover  by  force  what   ha4 
never  been  officially  denied.     Inftead  of  obtaining,  by  hon 
orable  contract,   that  "  garden  of  the  world,"  we  fhould 
have  feen  our  military  armament  mouldering  in,|^  dud  on, 
|he  banks  of  the  Mifiifippi,  and  our  fea-port  tovius-^biock- 


[  233 

aded  with  hoftile  fleets.  Our  fhips  would  have  been  "  difi 
mantled  in  every  port,  or  (hiking  to  the  cruifers  of  France 
and  Spain/'  Had  the  advocates  of  war  fucceeded,  our 
government  would  have  foon  witneffed  "  that  di%race  and 
downfall,"  by  which  its  enemies  expe&ed  to  reafcend  to 
power  and  public  efteem.  "  But  how  glorious  the  reverfe? 
and  how  grateful  to  all  who  delight  in  the  profperity  of  our 
country." 

But  ftill,  my  friends,  there  exifts  in  this  State  the  fame 
infuriate  fpirit  of  opposition,  tho*  condenfed  into  an  un- 
dreaded  cohort,  called  the  "  EJ/ex  Junto."  From  this  ren 
dezvous  of  Federalifm>  every  meafnre,  that  affumes  to  itfclf 
a  political  form,  whether  it  be  as  clearly  rational  as  a 
mathematical  axiom,  or  fubordinate  to  the  diverfified  judg 
ments  of  men,  is  fure  to  be  aflailed  with  all  the  malignan 
cy  of  calumny  and  condemnation.  Among  the  many  that 
have  been  marked  out  as  victims,  is  the  late  propofed  amend-* 
rnent  to  the  Conflitution.  The  plain  Englifh  of  all  their 
objections  to  this  amendment  is,  The  Conflitution  of  the  U. 
States  is,  in  every  feftion  and  article*  divinely  per f eft.  Com- 
pare  this  language  with  the  avowed  opinions  and  practice  of 
the  fame  denomination  ot  men,  in  the  ^ear  '98.  Aets  were 
then  pafied,  totally  repugnant  to  the  fpirit  and  meaning  of 
that  facred  compa6t?  without  an  attempt  of  reformation  in 
the  letter.  While  proud  in  domination,  they  could  talk  oF 
its"  contemptible  imbecility"  &  "  want  of  energy."  But 
an  honeft  ef&y  being  made  to  correct  that  inftrument,  in  a 
mode  provided  by  itfelf,  a  forrowfal  exclamation  is  raifed 
againft  the  rneafure,  as  eftabiiming  a  contagious  precedent 
for  wanton  innovation. 

Another  meafure,  which  has  afforded  a  delicious  occa- 
fion  of  Federal  reprehenfion,  is  the  late  impeachment  of 
Judge  Pickering  and  Judge  Ghace.  Some  dear  friends  of 
law  and  order,  have  by  every  diftortion  and  falfe  colouring 
they  could  apply  to  thefe  cafes,  endeavored  to  pra&ife 
upon  all  the  excefs  of  private  tendernefs,  that  any  mind 
may  poflefs  over  a  veneration  for  juftice  and  the  honor  of 
government,  to  excite  an  alarm  and  call  a  deluded  frater 
nity  to  behold  the 'downfall  of  the  judiciary  !  It  is  infmuat- 
ed  that  ihe  adminiftration  has  not  fo  much  in  view  the  repu» 


tation  of  juftice,  in  chafliiirig  the  malcoridact  of  rheie  jiidg* 
cs,  as  to  impair  the  independence  of  the  Judiciary.  A  na 
tion,  indeed,  rnuft  be  found  in  a  diftreffirg  dilemma,  uho 
had  neither  power  to  repeal  a  ufelefs  and  embarrallmg  limb 
of  the  Judiciary,  nor  priviledge  to  puniihits  officers  for  no 
torious  abufes  of  truft,  becaufe  it  is  faid  thefe  officers  were 
to  hold  their  feats  during  good  behaviour.  .But  the  argu 
ments  againft  the  one  and  the  other  are  equally  invalid  ;  and 
unwittingly  decide,  that  our  adminiftration  have  taken  a 
pofition  beyond  the  imputation  of  blame.  The  Britifh  gov 
ernment,  which  the  opponents  profefs  to  venerate,  would 
have  duly  noticed  the  itretch  of  power  in  the  one,  and  the 
breach  of  truft  in  the  other,  and  made  the  offenders  fignal 
examples  of  condign  punimment.  But,  my  friends,  the 
penfive  politician,  who  has  kept  tally  of  ail  the  fhifts  and 
evafions  to  which  a  difappointed  ambition  has  reforted,to  ca 
lumniate  our  rulers  and  immolate  our  national  honor,  would 
not  admire  that  thefe  occafions  alfo  are  impreft  into  her 
fervice. 

Let  the  good  people  of  this  State  remember,  that  while 
the  enemies  of  our  adminiftration  are  profeffing  fuch  tender 
regards  for  our  Conftitution,  they  are  ftili  cherifhing  a  delu- 
five  hope,  that  they  mail  foon  afcend  the  rotary  wheel  of 
fortune,and  bafk  in  as  great  parade  and  power  as  that  from 
which  they  have  fallen.  At  that  time  (mould  it  ever  arrive) 
you  will  fee  them  fo  far  abandoning  thefe  affectionate  at 
tachments,  as  to  exert  every  nerve,  to  introduce  a  monarch-, 
icai  form  of  government.  Though  this  beloved  instrument 
pointedly  interdicts  any  title  of  nobility,  yet  you  would  fee 
them  gradually  ellablifhing  an  ariftocracy,  whofe  various 
branches,  like  the  cancerous  humor,  would  foon  rankle  in 
every  part  of  the  community.  Then  would  fociety  be 
thrown  iato  unnumbered  grades  of  authority  and  greatnefs ; 
-—the  houfes  of  your  "  Auftins,"  your  "  Hewes,"  your 
"  Gores,"  &c.  would  be  erected  into  patrician  orders,  and 
you,  poor  people,  defcend  to  a  ftate  of  plebeian  fubmiffion. 

But  that  propitious  providence,  which  has  hitherto  de 
fended  our  nation  from  foreign  oppreflion  and  domeftic  cor 
ruption,  will  ftill  direct  the  deftinies  of  our  growing  em- 
pire,  and  caufe  the  American  republic  to  become  the  glory 


C  *5  3 

of  the  world.  It  is  a  grateful  truth,  that  fmce  our  fathers 
firft  'colonized  this  weftern  wildernefs,  a  peculiar  fortune 
has  attended  us.  Heroes  and  Statefmen  have  always  beeft 
raifed  up  with  energies  of  mind  adequate  to  the  iiifiaiit 
emergency  of  our  caufe.  We  have  yet  living  among  us 
hoary  patriots,  whofe  fouls,  tho*  whelmed  in  years,  are  yet 
filled  with  the  chafle  fpirit  of  the  revolution  and  parental 
yearnings  for  the  -American  people. — Venerable  Statefmen, 
who,  having  confecrated  their  meridian  funs  to  that  facred 
caufe,  have  known  the  intrigues  of  ambition,  can  detect  the 
fallacy  of  ariftocratic  collufion,  and  minutely  defcribe  what 
government  will  bed  feCure  the  felicities  of  the  nation. 

But  tho*  we  are  now  bleft  with  thefe  political  prophets, 
yet  the  days,  in  which  we  (hall  be  indulged  with  their  com 
pany  and  counfel,  will  foon  be  pad.  "  Our  fathers,  where 
are  they,  and  the  prophets,  do  they  live  forever  ?"  Warn* 
Ington,  whofe  piefenceonce  to  our  nation  was  patriotifm, 
and  whofe  counfel  was  wifdom,  is  no  longer  numbered 
with  the  furvivors  of  the  revolution.  Long  fince,  the  laffc 
obfequies  have  been  paid  to  the  immortal  Hancock.  The 
weeds  of  mourning  for  the  venerable  Samuel  Adams  are 
juft  laid  afide.  In  the  funeral  proceffion  of  the  two  latter, 
we,  as  fellow-citizens  of  the  fame  State,  were  the  firft  of  the 
mourners.  And  now,  my  friends,  our  bofoms  are  (till 
heaving  with  a  folitary  figh  for  Hancock  dead,  and  the  tear 
of  patriotifm,  twice  diftilled  and  copious  for  departed 
Adams,  is  yet  undry  upon  our  cheeks.  We  have  duteoufly 
committed  their  dear  remains  to  the  bofom  of  that  foil, 
which  they  faved  from  the  forcible  entry  of  an  encroaching 
foe.  And  it  is  a  confolation  that  that  foil,  which  intrea- 
fures  their  duft,  can  never  fupport  a  race  enflaved  to  the 
luft  of  ambition.  Thefe  were  the  twin-patriots  profcribed 
by  parliament,  fo  offenfive  to  the  eye  of  corruption,  that 
even  Britim-amnefty  could  not  embrace  them.  Thefe  were 
the  Harmodius  and  Ariftogiton  of  America,  whofe  joint  ef 
forts  roufed  and  fupported  the  foul  of  patrotifm  and  thus, 
thro*  the  deepeft  gloom  of  hope,  opened  a  way  for  the  de- 
ivera  nee  of  thtir  country.  Hence  thefe  names  have  be- 

D 


[26] 

come  odious  and  terrible  to  our  modern  Pififtratidce. 
as  odious  as  they  appear  in  their  view,  thefe  indeed  are 
names  covered  with  glory.  They  will  ever  beam  in  the  ef 
fulgence  of  the  fun,  while  the  mod  fplendid  of  their  oppo 
nents  (hall  be  feen  only  in  the  parhelion  of  fame,  and  muft 
at  lad,  like  a  falling  meteor,  defcend  to  oblivion. 

From  the  earlieft  hours  of  my  remembrance  thefe 
names  were  dear  to  the  inhabitants  of  Maffachufetts.  In 
thofe  dubious  times,  when  the  American  caufe  flood  trem 
bling  on  the  margin  of  uncertain  fate,  the  very  mention  of 
them,  gave  confolation  and  firmnefs  to  the  intcrefls  of  the 
revolution.  And  I  will  prefume  to  declare,  that  the  names 
of  Hancock  and  Adams  (hall  be  venerated  by  pofterity,  as 
long  as  virtue,  moderation,  philanthropy  and  republicanifra 
{hall  appear  lovely  to  our  citizens,  and  rational  freedom 
find  an  abode  in  the  States  of  America. 

While  our  revolutionary  worthies  are  annually  depart 
ing  from  the  ftage,  it  muft  be  grateful  to  the  penfive  vete 
ran  to  fee  young  men  come  forward,  wearing  their  mantles 
and  emulating  their  virtues.  And  indeed,  my  friends,  our 
hearts  muft  be  confoled  in  the  profpe&,  that  our  country 
will  ever  be  bleft  with  political  prophets,  who  will  faithful 
ly  announce  the  veteran  doftrine,  that  Republican  rigbteoiff- 
nefs  exalteth  a  nation^  but  the  fin  of  ambition  is  a  reproach  unto 
any  people.  This  moment  there  are  among  you  many  a 
young  patriot,  of  genius,  principle  and  integrity,  who  ar 
dently  afpire  to  the  merit  and  fame  of  their  grand-fires  ; 
who  are  ready  to  efpoufe  the  caufe  of  liberty ;  who  are  pre 
pared  to  meet  the  vanguard  of  defpotifm,  and  eager,  at  their 
country's  tall,  to  confecrate  in  the  temple  of  honor,  fome 
early  pledge  of  future  ufefulnefs  and  glory.  To  thefe,  my 
friends,  tho'  I  blufh  that  I  have  done  no  more  for  my  coun 
try,  I  cheerfully  commit  all  the  joy,  all  the  duty,  all  the 
anxiety  of  addreffmg  you  on  fuch  public  occafions,  Tho' 
for  a  fubject,  a  defence  of  the  liberties  of  my  country  has 
been  given  me,  tho'  the  theme  has  been  congenial  with  my 
very  foul,  and  has  often  quickened  within  me  the  ennobling 
fire  of  patriotifm  ;  yet  fuch  is  my  predilidion  for  quietude, 
and  without  that,  even  folitary  obfcurity,  that  my  feelings 


C  *?3 

have  enjoined  upon  me,  no  more  to  ftand  forth  as  a  mark 
.&  victim  of  democracy,  toward  which,  the  finger  of  a  latrant 
and  expiring  oppofition  may  be  directed.  I  have  fo  far 
availed  myfelf  cf  thefe  ufeful  oecafions  of  enquiry,  as  to  be 
deeply  convinced  of  the  defigns  of  an  indefatigable  party, 
who  have  for  their  ultimate  view  the  overthrow  of  our  re 
publican  government.  I  have  gained  a  plenary  fatisfaction 
that  all  this  audacious  invective  poured  upon  the  adminif- 
tration  ;  this  pufilanimous  imputation  of  private  vices  in  our 
President,  when  they  could  not  get  public  ; — this  pretend 
ed  alarm  of  the  downfall  of  the  judiciary  in  the  late  repeal 
and  impeachments  5.  this  confounded  tortuofity  of  conduct 
in  the  affair  of  Louifiana,  &c.  all  demonftrate  the  impoten- 
cy  of  their  caufe,  and  ought  to  be  viewed  by  a  candid  pub 
lic,  as  fignals  of  diftrefs  and  approaching  ditfolution. 

Let  us  rejoice  then  for  the  abounding  profperity  of  our 
country.  AH  things  we  believe  are  in  felicitous  proceflion. 
Happy  Republicans  !  heaven  has  predefined  a  triumph  to 
your  principles.  To  the  omnific  energies  of  truth  and  rea- 
ion,  afcribe  all  the  glory.  Let  temperance,  moderation 
and  firmnefs  characterize  all  your  proceedings  ;  and  remem 
ber,  from  domeftic  virtue  refults  the  greateft  boaft  of  na 
tional  honor.  Let  us  generoufly  cultivate  the  education 
of  the  fucceeding  generation,  and  leave  examples  worthy 
their  imitation.  Let  us  make  the  rifmg  world  believe,  that 
in  order  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  fociety,  we  muft 
correct  the  difpofitions  of  the  human  heart.  Be  no  more 
anxious  for  your  caufe  than  to  convince  mankind,  that  re» 
publican  principles  are  capable  of  embracing  every  purpofe 
of  law  and  government.  That  fyftem  of  politics,  which  we 
have  adopted,  muft  be  genuine,  for  it  has  not  only  been  af- 
failed,  in  all  ages,  by  a  virulent  oppofition,  but  it  has  been 
tried  and  approved  by  the  teil  of  experience. 

Rejoice,  that  the  time  is  on  a  rapid  wing,  when  the 
governments  of  the  States  will  act  in  concert  with  Congrefs, 
and  move  like  the  celeftial  fpheres,  in  harmonious  orbits, 
around  the  centre  of  the  fyftem.  New-England,  though 
obftinate  the  ftand  fhe  has  taken  againft  the  prefent  admin- 
iftration,  muft  foon  acknowledge  their  policy,  and  unfurl 


C  ?8  3 

in  Hartford  and  Bofton  the  Republican  banners.  Rhode- 
Ifland  and  New-Hampfhire  have  glorioufly  emerged  from 
political  delufion,  and  are  now,  in  the  concert  of  thankf- 
giving,  rejoicing  with  their  Mer  States.  Mafiachufetts  and 
Connecticut  are  fuffered  a  moment  longer  to  refift  the  po 
tency  of  truth,  that  they  may  grace  the  rear  of  her  viclory, 
and  make  her  triumph  more  complete.  Thus  will  princi 
ple  and  candour  finally  obtain  a  happy  afcendency  in  the 
public  mind.  But  many  hard  things  will  yet  be  faid  again  ft 
the  caufe,  but  not  more  than  the  world  hath  faid  againfi 
our  divine  religion.  Our  worthy  Prefident  will  flill  be  buf 
feted,  but  more,  if  polfible,  hath  been  done  before  to  the 
holy  fon  of  Mary.* 

To  juftify  our  own  feelings,  and  do  honor  to  the  exer- 
cifes  of  the  day,  we  turn  our  addrefs  to  the  American  fair. 
Amiable  Friends^ 

With  grateful  fenfations,  we  welcome  you  to  partici 
pate  with  us,  this  joyful  feftivaL     As  Adam  without  his 

*  We  unclerftand  tjiat  fmce  thii  Oration  wag  delivered,  a  gentleman, 
who  fuftaini  no  mean  grade  in  the  fcale  of  Federalifnr,  exprefTed  much //«:/* 
griff  thai  any  (hould  be  fo  "  ftrangely  democratic,  a«  to  compare  Thomai 
JefFerfon  to  Jefus  Chrift."— To  which  we  reply, 

i  ft.  Had  the  gentleman  any  fractional  portion  of  that  boafted  acumen, 
good  fenfe,  or  faculty  of  criticifiu,  which  his  party  has  affefted  to  sngrofsj 
he  Would  have  difcovered  that  there  is  not  here  intended  the  leaft  compari- 
fon  between  our  SAVIOUR  and  our  Prefident.  The comparifon  is  perfpicu- 
oufiy  between  federalifm  and  that  daring  fptrit  of  the  devil,  which  has  at 
tempted  to  exterminate  chriftianity  by  the  fcorpion-whip  of  obloquy  and 
perfecution.  Does  hiftory  compare  Galileo  to  the  FOUNTAIN  OF  TRUTH 
by  declaring  that  he  was  perfcCuted  for  the  fake  of  truth  ?  I  trow  not. 

2d.  It  has  been  too  frequently  the  misfortune  of  TRUTH  to  be  perfecut- 
ed  in  the  world  by  thofe  who  have  affumed  an  oppofition  to  it*  hypothefis, 
Vv-ithout  regarding  whether  it*  effecls  have  been  injurious  or  beneficial  to 
civil  fociety.  Weaffert  that  the  malignancy  of  thofe,  who  perfecuted  our 
SAVIOUR,  without  making  his  divinity  a  queftion,  was  excited  greatly  on 
account  of  the  republican  fentiments  which  hi^  gofpel  contained.  The 
candid  will  a  moment  revolve  fliis  idei  before  they  proceed  to  deciQon. 

3d.  If  we  may  judge  from  a  fynoptical  view  of  federal  condoft,  we 
are  obliged  to  confiderthe  "pious  grief"  of  the  gentleman  alluded  to,  occa- 
£oned  not  fo  much  for  fear  diihonor  might  be  reflected  upon  our  SAVIOUR, 
as  honor  ihould  be  afcribed  to  our  Prefident.  We  (hail  therefore  enroll  the 
matter  us  afreflu  inftance  of  that  "  whining  hypocrify'*  with  which  the 
ct  oppofition'51  approach  the  people  upon  the  fubjeft  of  politici,  w 
religion  can  bs  icnpreffed  co  ferve  their  occafiOBo 


1 *9 11 

Eve,  could  not,  fo  gladly,  have  celebrated  in  Eden  his 
in  fong  of  praife,  fo  (fhould  we  be  indulged  the  companion) 
without  your  attendance,  this  public  testimony  of  our  grat 
itude  for  the  acquifition  of  this  modern  "  paradife"  would 
be  too  folitary  and  jmperfefit.  What  event  of  national 
concern  more  affe&s  our  cjomeftic  fenfatiops  and  interefts, 
than  that  we  this  day  celebrate  ?  Not  a  continent  difcover- 
ed,  but  an  Smmenfe  region  acquired :  Not  by  wafte  of  blood 
and  ufurpation,  but  by  negociation  &  honorable  purchafe. 
The  important  event  furely  furnifhes  a  fubjeft  of  entertain 
ment  and  difcqurfe,  in  which  female  delicacy  will  not  blufh 
to  take  apart.  "  Yes ;  in  your  fire-fide  amuferrjents,  in  cir 
cles  fequeftered  from  men  and  fojdiers,  you  may  realize  in 
this  a  rich  theme  for  interefting  obfervatiqn.  Your  bofoms 
are  not,  as  in  the  triumphs  of  ambition,  torn  with  the 
poignant  refle&ion,  that  though  the  national  weal  has  been 
augmented,  it  is  by  the  unhallowed  facrifice  of  many  a  love 
ly  youth  to  whom  your  tender  hearts  were  fondly  attached. 
Though  an  incidental  chafm  may  have  taken  place  in  affairs 
between  the  United  States  and  Spain,  yet  our  more  propi 
tious  deflinies  have  not  called  for  young  Curtius,  the  flower 
and  pride  of  America,  to  yield  himfelf  a  victim  of  patriot- 
ifm  to  reflore  the  capricious  breach.  Inftead  of  mourning, 
the  death  of  a  kind  huiband,  the  affectionate  wife  may  meet 
his  evening  return  with  propofals  of  future  fettlement  for 
her  riling,  numerous  family.  The  tender  mother,  inflead  of 
deploring  the  lofs  of  a  favorite  Ion,  may  now  be  felicitated 
with  the  tidings  that  the  young  adventurer  has  enjoyed  in 
that  fertile  and  falubrious  country,  all  the  profperity  which 
his  elated  hopes  had  promifed. 

In  the  celebration,  therefore,  of  our  NATIONAL  JUBI 
LEE,  you  have,  with  propriety,  taken  a  diftinguilhing  and 
interefting  part.  We  do  not  wonder  that  you  alfo  have 
rendered  a  rich  tribute  of  gratitude,  and  enlivened  this  fef- 
tival  with  fo  general  a: tendance.  Heart".  like  yews,  fofren- 
ed  with  benevolence,  ientimcnt  &  philanthropy,  cannot  but 
glow  with  a  feeling  ackno\frkdgment  for  our  national  prof 
perity.  All  that  is  lovely  rnuft  bear  a  part  in  the  eulogy, 
that  is  beflowed  upon  our  prefent  adoiiniftrauon.  Tho'  you 


I  3°  3 

j*iay  have  been  complimented  as  "the  only  real  fovereigns  in 
America,"  yet  fuch  are  the  relations  of  your  fex  to  fociety, 
that  you  cheerfully  venerate,  with  our  benevolent  politicians, 
republican  eftablifhments.  Thofe  heavenly  virtues,  which 
you  hold  fo  dear,  will  not  countenance  in  men,  thofe  un 
principled  defpotic  ariftocracies,  which  too  often  open  the 
flukes  of  bafenefs  and  immorality  ;  which  too  often  level 
the  entrenchments  that  facred  honor  has  thrown  around 
the  dignity  of  your  fes,  &  which  ever  enlarge  the  fphere  of 
lawlefs  paflkms,  to  pradice  on  unfufpeding  innocence,  the 
fhamelefs  fedudion  of  which,  the  blood  of  a  Lucreth  could 
fcarcely  expiate,  and  againft  the  violation  of  which,  the  life 
alone  of  chafte  Virginia  muft  be  a  deprecating  facrifice. 
Under  a  free  government,  your  beauties  and  charms,  like 
other  brilliant  attributes  of  our  national  charader,  muft 
fiourifh  in  greater  lovelinefs  and  perfection.  Thofe  illufive 
honors,  which  ambition  proffers  you  in  the  gilded  titles  of 
queen,  princefs,  dutchefs,  marchionefs,  &c.  lofe  all  their  faf- 
cination,  when  you  look  around  your  friends,  and  fee  no 
where  exifiing  thofe  partial  diftindions,  which,  though 
they  may  favor  an  individual,  yet  degrade  and  defpoil  the 
many  5  when  you  do  not,  as  in  other  countries,  fee  them 
compelled  to  incur  the  difpleafure  of  fome  proud  dignitary 
of  the  family,  and  turn  their  backs  on  hereditary  greatnefs, 
by  ratifying,  at  the  altar  of  Hymen,  the  elections  of  their 
hearts :  When  you  look  into  the  perfpedive  of  futurity 
and  behold  a  numerous  poflerity,  increasing  in  the  world 
from  the  blood  of  your  own  families,  enjoying  each  other  as 
fellow-citizens  and  afTociates,  undivided  by  that  exotic  pol 
icy,  which  commits  to  a  few  a  barbarous  authority  over  the 
left ;  when  ye  fee  them  all  entitled  to  the  favors  of  hon 
or,  according  to  their  refpedive  merit.  Surely,  my  friends, 
a  view  like  this,  tenders  to  your  hearts  a  more  purified  en 
joyment,  than  could  ever  refult  from  the  vifionary  pomp 
and  glory  of  a  Cleopatra  or  an  Elizabeth, 


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